When John Dickerson announced he would be stepping down as Executive Director of the Arc of Indiana, he also mentioned that he would begin developing a new direction for his advocacy.

Dickerson’s new direction was unveiled this past Saturday when he hosted a roomful of supporters and announced that he is seeking the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind). Dickerson said, “What I’ve learned in the forty-plus years of my professional life is that we have to work together. It takes new answers and new ideas, but together we get things done. I have worked with Democrats and Republicans alike over the course of my career, and have been successful at navigating those sometimes tricky relationships for the benefit of Hoosiers.”

Dickerson was joined by former Indiana Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis. Davis was head of the state’s budget agency when she first met Dickerson, and the two continued to work closely together when Davis led the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. “John knows the systems of government. He understands setting high goals, applying fiscal restraint and working together for the best results,” Davis said. “He will bring that contagious attitude and skill to the United States Senate.” He will be up against former U.S. Representative Baron Hill, who announced his intentions to run at the beginning of June.